In:
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Copernicus GmbH, Vol. 21, No. 18 ( 2021-09-27), p. 14275-14291
Abstract:
Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) is a significant source of atmospheric
particles, affecting climate and air quality. Understanding the mechanisms
involved in urban aerosols is important to develop effective mitigation
strategies. However, NPF rates reported in the polluted boundary layer span
more than 4 orders of magnitude, and the reasons behind this variability are the subject of intense scientific debate. Multiple atmospheric vapours have been
postulated to participate in NPF, including sulfuric acid, ammonia, amines
and organics, but their relative roles remain unclear. We investigated NPF
in the CLOUD chamber using mixtures of anthropogenic vapours that simulate
polluted boundary layer conditions. We demonstrate that NPF in polluted
environments is largely driven by the formation of sulfuric acid–base
clusters, stabilized by the presence of amines, high ammonia concentrations
and lower temperatures. Aromatic oxidation products, despite their extremely
low volatility, play a minor role in NPF in the chosen urban environment but
can be important for particle growth and hence for the survival of newly
formed particles. Our measurements quantitatively account for NPF in highly
diverse urban environments and explain its large observed variability. Such
quantitative information obtained under controlled laboratory conditions
will help the interpretation of future ambient observations of NPF rates in
polluted atmospheres.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1680-7324
DOI:
10.5194/acp-21-14275-2021
DOI:
10.5194/acp-21-14275-2021-supplement
Language:
English
Publisher:
Copernicus GmbH
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2092549-9
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2069847-1
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